Tuscany, Florence and Siena

Flying to Pisa, a coach will meet you at the airport and take you to our hotel in Tuscany. The rest of the day is at leisure to settle into your home for the next seven nights and explore the beautiful surrounding area (flight time dependent).

After breakfast we’ll explore rural Tuscany made famous by Renaissance paintings, literature, films and travel posters – a truly extraordinary landscape of undulating hillsides, vineyards, ochre-coloured valleys, terracotta-tiled farmhouses and pencil pines.

Driving through the countryside, we’ll soon arrive at San Gimignano, one of Italy’s most beautiful villages. The sight of a spectacular skyline with 14 medieval towers is one that will stay with you forever. There were originally 72 towers, all built by rival noble families during the 13th century as symbols of power and prestige. No other village in Tuscany captures the spirit of the age in quite the same way.

It’s lovely to just wander through its cobbled streets and squares, taking in the views and simply absorbing its delightfully rural atmosphere.

After time at leisure, we'll continue to a family-owned farmhouse in a medieval village set amongst the hills, for lunch based on Tuscan recipes.

After returning to your hotel, the rest of the day will be at leisure at the hotel. You could relax in your room, enjoy a dip in the pool, or explore the local area.

This morning, we’ll travel to Florence for a guided walking tour to discover why Florence is known as the ‘Pearl of the Renaissance’. It’s no wonder this city is such a highlight for decerning travellers - the sights are legendary, and we’ll enjoy the best of them, including the cathedral (or Duomo) - which can house a congregation of thousands - and the Baptistry, one of the oldest buildings in the city. Explore the goldsmiths’ shops on the Ponte Vecchio, the landmark bridge over the Arno River and a symbol of the city itself.

In the afternoon, we’ll bypass the queues with a reserved visit to the Uffizi. Words alone hardly seem sufficient to capture the majesty of this phenomenal place. Built up over hundreds of years, this originally private collection belonging to the all-powerful Medici family was subsequently bequeathed to the people of Florence.

Botticelli’s Birth of Venus is just one of the countless masterpieces on display. There are equally breathtaking works by Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Van Dyck – you’ll find treasures in every room.

After time to explore the Uffizi and the streets of Florence, we return to our hotel to enjoy another delicious dinner.

After breakfast, we'll leave for Lucca, birthplace of the great composer Puccini. Here you can explore the delightful city at leisure. Wander amongst the medieval streets, tiny piazzas and along the well-preserved, Renaissance ramparts circling the city. We recommend stopping in to see the cathedral - it is outstanding and famous for being one of the most intricate in Tuscany.

Then we’ll take the short drive to Pisa where nothing can prepare the visitor for the bizarre leaning tower! Completed in 1372, the white marble cylinder is a Romanesque bell tower which tilts at a 3.97-degree angle. At its worst, it leaned over 5.5 degrees! Famous since the dawn of tourism, today it remains one of the must-see buildings on earth. To its right, you’ll notice the incredible domed roof of the Baptisterium which also leans (though considerably less) - head inside to see its beautiful, yet simple, interior and visit the upper floor for amazing views over Pisa.

Today we’ll have a free day to explore as you wish. So, what is it to be? A stroll around the village, a coffee in the main square watching the world go by, a dip in the hotel pool or just catch up on some reading – the choice is yours.

After breakfast we’ll take the short drive to Siena. As one of the finest medieval cities in the world, during the 12th and 13th centuries it was also one of the richest - and a similar size to Paris! An unrivalled period of building took place during this time and the palaces, grandiose townhouses and spacious piazzas, we'll see today on our guided tour.

The main square, the Campo, is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s finest! Unusually formed in a half-moon shape, the square is surrounded by tall and centuries old buildings, all very different and yet also harmonious. With its abundance of pavement cafés, enjoy a coffee and reflect on all the visitors who preceded you.

Perhaps the finest place to visit in Siena is its outstanding cathedral, one of Italy’s greatest. Built from black and white marble it has some of the most intricate carvings imaginable, some of which are by the great master himself, Michelangelo.

The floor is a revelation, laid with countless thousands of interlocking stones, creating a unique inlaid surface at which, one can only marvel at the sheer skill of its creators. Impressive as it is today, had a planned additional nave been completed during the 14th century, it would have created the largest church in Christendom.

The Black Death halted construction as two thirds of the population perished, and the city fell into rapid decline. Little else was built but fortunately even less demolished, thus accounting for Siena’s remarkable preservation.  

After our guided tour, you’re free to spend the afternoon exploring this beautiful city as you wish.

Our last day takes us to Volterra, an imposing town with immense stone ramparts, perched dramatically on a hill and affording panoramic views. The town’s small historic centre is a maze of narrow cobbled streets that emanate from the main Piazza dei Priori, one of the finest and best preserved in Tuscany.

Founded by the Etruscans as long ago as 800 BC, Volterra grew prosperous in the Middle Ages from mining and carving alabaster. Many artefacts from this period still survive in churches and cathedrals throughout Tuscany and beyond. Even today, alabaster carving remains the traditional Volterran craft.

You’ll have the opportunity to visit some of the artisan outlets. The town also has outstanding museums housing priceless Etruscan and Roman treasures. A visit is guaranteed to heighten your appreciation of this impressive town. 

This afternoon, return to spend the afternoon at leisure at the hotel reflecting on memories of the week just past.

Say goodbye to the beautiful Tuscan countryside and return home with the wonderful memories of your Italian adventure as we return to the airport for our flight home.